- Home
- Cat Conditions
- Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
What is Blood in the Front of the Eye?
Identifying the disease that is causing hyphema is essential in order to save the cat's eyesight. Noting any other symptoms that the cat is displaying is helpful in diagnosing the correct disease.
Blood in the anterior chamber, or front chamber, of the cat's eye is a condition known as hyphema. Hyphema isn't a disease in and of itself but is rather a symptom of a systemic or ophthalmic disease. The condition can range from mild to severe, with mild cases presenting with a light pink color in the fluid in front of the eye. Severe hyphema typically presents with the entire chamber filled with blood, blinding the cat.
Blood in the Front of the Eye Average Cost
From 509 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
Symptoms of hyphema are dependent on the extent that bleeding has occurred and the location from where the bleeding began.
- Red or pink-colored fluid in the eye between the area of the cornea and the pupil/iris
- Swelling of the cornea
- Corneal lesions
- Cuts or bruises around the eye area
- Eye discharge
- Pain or irritation in the eye, which may cause the cat to squint or close the affected eye
- Blindness or decreased vision in affected eye
Causes of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
There are several diseases or conditions that can cause hyphema to occur. These conditions include:
- Injury or trauma to the eye or head
- Severe uveitis
- Severe retinal detachment or tearing
- Blood clotting disorders
- Hypertension
- Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic glaucoma
- Parasite infection
- Tumor or cancer in the eye
- Retinal dysplasia
- Bleeding of the blood vessels
- Lymphoma
Diagnosis of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
The veterinarian will need the cat's complete health history. It's important to note any other symptoms that the cat is experiencing in order for the vet to correctly identify the disease that is causing the hyphema. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat, noting any signs of trauma, swollen lymph nodes and its blood pressure levels.
An ophthalmic examination will need to be done on the cat's eyes. As part of this exam, a Schirmer tear test, tonometry, pupillary light reflex testing, and fluorescein eye stain to test the cornea will be done. These tests will allow the veterinarian to determine where the bleeding is coming from and may help identify the underlying cause of the hyphema.
A complete blood count, a urinalysis, thyroid serum tests, serum biochemistry tests, blood coagulation tests and chest and abdominal x-rays will also be done. Each of these tests will check the function of other organs in the body and narrow down what disease is causing the bleeding.
If these tests indicate something is wrong with an organ, further tests may need to be done, such as hormonal tests of the adrenal glands, a bone marrow biopsy or an x-ray of the eye orbit and head. These tests are advanced and may need to be done in a hospital.
Treatment of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
Medication
Topical corticosteroids as an ointment or eye drops will be prescribed to the cat. Corticosteroids will reduce the inflammation in the anterior chamber and around the eye. The cat will also be prescribed atropine eye drops, which dilate the pupil. Dilating the cat's pupil will help to reduce their pain level and minimize the sticking between the lens and iris. If corticosteroids don't help enough with inflammation, aspirin may be prescribed. Aspirin may increase the risk of future bleeding, however, so it isn't used as the initial treatment. If the cat's intraocular pressure is elevated, glaucoma medications will be prescribed to reduce this pressure and decrease the chance of bleeding.
Surgery
If the intraocular pressure doesn't decrease with the use of medications, glaucoma surgery may be necessary in order to relieve the pressure and save the cat's eyesight. The fluid in the eye will be drained and altered to stop fluid buildup in the eye.
If the hyphema occurred due to a traumatic injury, surgery may also be needed to correct the injury and any accompanying lesions.
Primary Disease Treatment
In order to save the eye, the primary disease must be treated. This may include dietary changes, medications for high blood pressure or hypothyroidism or treatment for a retinal detachment.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
The cat's activity must be restricted for at least seven to 10 days. This will allow time for the bleeding to stop and the hyphema to settle away from the cat's front chamber. If a blood clotting disorder is found, the cat will need to stay calm as blood clots can move quickly through the body with activity, causing a heart attack or stroke to occur. If the hyphema has caused vision loss or blindness, it's important to monitor the cat when outdoors.
Regular follow-up visits with the veterinarian are necessary in order to check for bleeding, test the intraocular pressure and monitor the use of medications. Primary disease treatment will also need to be followed-up with the veterinarian.
Blood in front of the eye can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Blood in the Front of the Eye Average Cost
From 509 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
Top
Blood in the Front of the Eye Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
cat
Six Months
38 found this helpful
38 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
We have a 6 month old DSH cat. Indoor but came from outdoor litter. Neg for FELV/FIV. UTD vaccines. Left eye has mucous discharge that is blood tinged. Vet checked eye at time of neuter and found no abnormalities.
He squints especially when he first wakes up and the rim of his eyelids is rust colored and can be removed with a q-tip. Tobramycin eye drops and neopolybactricin ophthalmic with no resolve.
Oct. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
38 Recommendations
Hi there, this is Dr Linda.
I'm sorry to hear this little one has ongoing eye issues.
Presumably the vet gave the eye a thorough exam? We would want to rule out any subtle congenital issues such as an ingrown eyelash or entropion (eyelids that slant inwards).
It may also be sensible to check that the tear ducts are not narrowed or blocked.
We have the option of performing a swab to determine if any infection is present. This can be useful, especially if previous antibiotics have failed (in case of a resistant infection).
If the eye is worsening, I would encourage a Fluorescein Dye test to ensure there is no ulceration.
Do double check the environment is free of smoke, cooking fumes, air fresheners, dust etc. which could be irritating.
Oct. 28, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
calico
kitten
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood From Eye
looks like cut in white part of her eye after possible cat fight/ cat attack and now show signs of blood coming from her eye
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
18 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If you see blood coming from her eye and a possible cut in the eye, she should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Injuries like that can cause the loss of an eye if not treated. They will be able to see her, look at her eye, and let you know what medications or treatments might be needed.
I hope that she is okay!
Oct. 5, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Blood in the Front of the Eye Average Cost
From 509 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
